Bianca Alvarado
High Tech High Chula Vista
San Diego, CA USA
"The reason I teach is to spark an interest in students, and to help them realize that they have the tools and resources within themselves to create or design the change that they want to see."
Career Roadmap
Bianca's work combines: Education, Technology, and Teaching / Mentoring
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advocate For Your Own Education
Advocate For Your Own Education
Advice for getting started
Advocate for yourself and personalize your own educational journey. For example, while earning my master's degree, I wanted to learn marketing but my school didn't offer it. I went to the director and found a way to work it into my degree. We as individuals are responsible for our own learning. Whether you're in high school or pursuing a graduate degree, realizing your interests, finding resources yourself, and personalizing your educational journey will lead to more success and happiness.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
International Security and Conflict Resolution
San Diego State University
Bachelor's Degree
Spanish Language and Literature
San Diego State University
Certification
Single Subject Teaching Credential, Spanish Language Teacher Education
San Diego Christian College
Graduate Degree
Social Innovation
Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies, University of San Diego
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up on the San Diego–Tijuana border.
2.
We’d go back and forth across the border constantly—seeing two drastically different worlds planted the seed of innovation in me, because I understood that there was no one "right" way to do things.
3.
I was the first in my family to graduate from college, earning my bachelor’s degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution (ISCOR) from San Diego State University.
4.
After graduating, I struggled with anxiety and depression because I had no idea how to apply for jobs—I had no guidance because my family had never gone through that experience.
5.
After a year of struggling, I started substitute teaching in Chula Vista, California—this was a turning point for me because I got to work with students with similar backgrounds to my own.
6.
After teaching for a few years, I went back to school and earned my master’s degree in social innovation.
7.
I took a break from teaching to co-found La Casa Azul Productions, a project focused on helping disadvantaged Hispanic youth receive training for careers within digital media content creation.
8.
Now I’m back in the classroom teaching high school Spanish.
Defining Moments
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
As a first-generation college student, I felt extreme anxiety and depression after graduating because I had no idea how to apply for jobs. I had no support or guidance. I eventually found my way to substitute teaching and set my path from there.